Disclaimer: You've read this before. It's not like it's actually changes . . . except sometimes I ramble on about different things. (like my never ending of Star Wars and I wished I owned it . . . hmm . . maybe when I finish this I'll start on a Star Wars fanfic?) I don't own Labyrinth. Just the plot. I don't own the Olive Garden either . . . but I really would like some of their food right about now. Cuz it is very yummy. Fettechini Alfredo. Breadsticks. Salad. *whimpers* Oh, and the information for the archetypes came from notes in English in high school, and Star Wars, Magic Of the Myth (Which, if your interested in archetypal influences in the original Star Wars trilogy, this is a very good book because it discusses common archetypal themes as well as a variety of other influences George Lucas had in making Star Wars – I ended up doing a final once based on the information in that book)
The Incentive
by Fou Fou
Chapter 11 – The Collective Unconscious
After being given a day to prepare herself mentally to face Jareth again as soon as she fell asleep, Sarah still felt relatively surprised when she opened her eyes to find herself back in that canopied bed and not the least bit tired. She had gone to sleep around 7, unable to stay up much longer, just after Mara had left the house for her date with Eric. It was weird enough getting use to the fact that her roommate was an Elvin Princess (and who knew if the Princess part was even true . . . she sure as hell didn't act like royalty . . . and Sarah still couldn't help but feel slightly uneasy around her, after all, she did trick her into saying those accursed 'Magic Words' no matter how much she said she felt sorry about it afterwards), and to add the other aspects of her world that had suddenly turned upside down was beginning to be slightly unnerving.
You know, she pondered to herself, as she sat up slowly and pushed off the covers, There are some distinct advantages to this . . . for example, I could study for tests all night and not be the least bit tired, if only I could figure out a way to get my notes from Earth to the Labyrinth. I probably should wait awhile before asking Mara, she seemed unusually strained today, maybe feeding magic to keep this spell going uses energy.
But I'm still not quite sure if Mara was telling the truth about the whole thing about him caring for me. I should probably watch myself in any case. . . whatever happens, I DO NOT want to end up in the Bog of Eternal Stench again, or whatever other wonderful forms of torture that the sadistic Goblin King has come up with. He was quite good at making my life miserable when I last ran his little maze when I was 15, I'd hate to see what else he is capable of with a little more time on his hands and control over me.
Suppressing a shudder, she pushed that pleasant thought into a folder labeled "To be pondered about later." She then proceeded to push back the curtains surrounding the bed and sunlight immediately flooded her senses. Blinking her eyes for a moment to adjust to the sudden burst of light, she studied the room. It was following a green theme shown in the curtains, it was a forest of greens giving the room a strange, natural feel. Across from her was a door, which she presumed led to the rest of the castle, since that was the direction she heard Jareth coming from when he came in earlier the last time she was here (or did I ever leave? This system of two bodies for one mind is getting highly confusing, she thought, shaking her head). To the right of the door stood a vanity covered with all sorts of beautifully carved objects. Warily, she jumped off the bed and glanced at the contents. There was an ivory brush with matching comb. With a feeling of awe, she traced the lifelike images of dragons that were meticulously carved onto the surface. Regretfully, she trailed her eyes to look at what else was displayed on the vanity. There were several bottles of colorful opaque glass, that when the contents were sniffed experimentally, proved to be some of the finest perfume she had ever smelled. Hands shaking a little at the thought of how much the perfume must cost, she placed the bottle she was holding back down and looked at the make-up. Like the perfume and the brush/comb set, these were also of the best quality that money could buy (or, thought Sarah ideally, even better then money could ever afford. Am I not in a world of magic and immortals?). Taking a glance at the contents, she discovered that it was all shades that she had found best suited her in the past.
Shaking her head, she wondered, Maybe Mara is telling the truth . . . maybe he actually does like me. Once again, her stomach seemed to do a neat little summersault at the thought. She shook as the little reasonable voice in her admonished, Don't by silly, Sarah. The Goblin King is King, obviously he would have money. His clothing is always of exquisite quality and just because I didn't see all of the castle, doesn't mean that it isn't nice. He either does this for any visitors to his castle, or else this is just some sort of mind game he's trying to play with me because he is a sick, manipulating, sadistic bastard.
Nodding her head firmly, sure that she had discovered a more practical reason behind the expensive finery, her gaze turned towards the mirror and she immediately let out a cry of outrage.
"JARETH YOU FILTHY PERVERTED BASTARD!!!!" she yelled, as she found that she was dressed in a sheen black silk nightgown that left little to the imagination. Grinding her teeth in rage, she grabbed a green housecoat hanging up on a hook next to the bed to cover herself, just as the offender appeared with a burst of glitter and light right behind her. Spinning around she demanded indignantly to his annoying, self-confident smirk, "What the hell is this?!"
"I beg your pardon, Sarah, but I fail to see what you are referring to," he said smoothly, earning yet another icy glare from Sarah. "If you are referring to the area around you, I believe it is normally called a bedroom, since that large four post furniture over there is referred to as a bed. Normally used for sleeping it . . . though it can be used for other things."
The sexual innuendo did not escape Sarah, and she was beginning to realize just how close he was to her. Trying to not look uncomfortable, she stepped around him and into the center of the room, where at least she had some moving room. "I'm talking about this!" she said, gesturing to herself.
Jareth raised an eyebrow skeptically, as he stated the obvious, "Well, I do believe that that is you, Sarah Williams. . . or are you referring to the housecoat, which happens to be made of dyed calico."
Sarah rolled her eyes angrily and opened the front of the housecoat, revealing the offending nightwear, too angry now to be self-conscious.
Jareth took several steps closer to her, circling around her, all the while slowly looking up and down her body, his eyes lingering longer on certain aspects of her body longer than others, a mischievous smirk playing across his face as Sarah began to turn a bright red. Swiftly she pulled the front of the housecoat back over herself.
After a pause, Jareth looked at her in the face and said coolly, "I do believe that what you are wearing is a night gown of black silk . . . and it looks very nice on you if I do say so myself."
All right, Mara was lying. . . This is a revenge business, not an attempt to woo my heart. It's official . . . I'm going to kill that bitch when I get back . . . I don't care if she said he liked me and I said I forgave her . . . being sexually harassed by His Bastardness is not my idea of how a man in love should act . . I'm sorry.
"HOW DID I GET IN IT!?" demanded Sarah, crossing her arms in front of her, to discourage any further ideas. "I know I wasn't wearing them when I was in the bathroom back at the arcade."
"Why, I had you dressed in them of course," stated Jareth, smiling at her look of horror.
"Why you little . . ." Sarah trailed off as she raised a hand to slap him.
Calmly, he grabbed her hand before she could use it and said seriously, "You need not fear for your virtue, Sarah. . . one of the female servants changed you. I was not there when you were changed. I expect you couldn't even get that sort of civility from Garith." He paused, before adding with a smirk, "Though I do admit that I did pick it out . . . however I was unable to see you in it since you were covered with blankets. I was only able to see it on you just now when you so kindly decided to show it me. I must say, Miss Williams, you look . . . stunning in it."
You walked right into that, Sarah, she admonished herself as she felt her cheeks turning red, partly out of being incorrect in assuming Jareth had taken it upon himself to change her while she was in an unconscious and out-of-body-state, possibly molesting her, and partly because he was able to get her worked up enough that she showed herself in that silken nightgown that she was worried he saw her in. You are a stupid idiot . . .
"Well," said Jareth, rubbing his hands together as she shook herself from her inner thoughts. "Now that that is settled, I would like to know if you would care to dine with me. Breakfast should be ready in thirty minutes, and I'm sure you must be hungry after sleeping for as long as you have."
Sarah was just about to say a 'polite' no, when suddenly her stomach betrayed her by voicing its wish for food loudly. Jareth chuckled and she felt her face turn red once again, as she began to find a deep interest in the green carpet beneath her feet.
"Should I take that as a yes, Sarah?" he asked, almost cheerfully.
Sarah, glared back at him and answered, "Yes," grudgingly.
"Excellent," he pronounced as he stepped towards another door on the opposite side of the room that led to a huge walk in closet. From the glimpse she saw as Jareth walked inside, it was full of medieval style dresses that she would have died to have when she was younger (and, a little voice in the back of her head added, she still wanted them just as much now). And I don't want to even think about how they are the right size for me. My body dimensions have definitely changed since I was 15, and I would prefer not to think about the potential of someone taking my measurements while I was sleeping here. Or awake on Earth. HELL, THIS IS GETTING SO DAMN CONFUSING!!! After a brief moment, Jareth came back out of the closet holding a green dress of an indeterminable material, but beautiful and expensive looking, and he held it out to her. "I believe that this would look good on you," he added.
"Is there something with this green theme you have going on, Your Majesty?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at him, still not going for the dress, despite the fact that her fingers yearned to feel it. "I am perfectly capable of picking out an outfit by myself."
"It brings out the lovely color of your eyes."
"Oh," said Sarah quietly, as she timidly accepted the dress from him, trying to ignore the fact that her stomach was definitely deciding to take part in the gymnastic Olympics. After he stood there for a few minutes, she asked irritably, "Um . . can you go? I would like to get changed in privacy if you don't mind."
"Of course, Miss Williams," he said, giving her another one of those infuriating smirks with a deep bow. "The bathroom is through the door next to the closet. I trust you'll find everything to your satisfaction. I shall be back to collect you in a half hour." And with that, he disappeared.
"Damn you," she muttered irritably as she went to the bathroom. It was almost as large as the bedchamber, with a huge sunken in bath in the corner that could comfortably fit two people. (You are not going off in that direction, Sarah . . .) Idly, she turned on the bath water and the smell of peaches assaulted her senses. Typical. Shaking her head, and telling herself that she was not washing herself to impress Jareth, but because she needed to relax herself before facing the unholy terror, she hung up her dress, and prepared to get in the bath.
I hope Mara is having a horrible time, she thought vindictively, stepping into the warm bath. She deserves it after saddling me alone with Jareth. Oh would someone just shoot me now!
She never paused to think that this was probably exactly how Mara felt every time she was stuck alone with Garith. She was too angry at the moment to really even care.
~~~~~~
"I'll see you when I get back," said Mara, waving goodbye to Sarah (who was waving at them from the door of her house) as she walked out the door with Eric (who had decided that since his worthless piece of crap of a car was not working, but in the repair shop, they would have to get to the Olive Garden by foot). She looks tired. Probably an aftereffect of the spell. It's been almost 12 hours. She's due to return back to the Labyrinth to spend some quality time with Jareth. I hope it doesn't go too badly, for both their sakes.
"So, I see you have recovered," said Eric after had shut the door behind them.
"Obviously. I take it you were the one who got us back home relatively unharmed?" she replied as the two linked arms companionably.
"Yes, with the help of some people. A guy who apparently you were friends with back in your hometown and his girlfriend as well as an employee helped meget you home. The employee, Alice, agreed to take care of the car, while the other two gave the three of us a lift. Frankly, I really didn't trust you two alone with them."
Mara laughed, then suddenly stopped as she registered the beginning of what he said. "Wait a minute, a guy I know?" That's funny . . . I don't have any friends from the Underground really, except Jareth, though it could have been Nomar with my sister, but they wouldn't risk crossing the border, especially with the risk that they might get trapped. Then who could it be . . . ? DAMN! . . . Stars I hope it wasn't him . . . he would never let me live it down.
"He said his name was Stephan."
"Stephan?" she asked confused. "I don't know any Stephan." That, or my memory is worse then I ever thought it was.
"Oh? He seemed quite worried. He had black hair, dark eyes, and British accent. Did you originally come from England or something?"
Oh Gods . . it is.
"Oh . . . him."
Though why he would be worried is beyond me. Probably father, in one of his rare acts of morality, told him to make sure that I wasn't hurt . . . too badly. Either that, or he was worried the council would kick his sorry little vamp ass from here to Kingdom Come.
"You sound enthusiastic," commented Eric, smiling with amusement.
"You have no idea," replied Mara drily. "Though why he decided to use a fake name is beyond me. If you're talking about who I think you're talking about, that guy is Garith. From school. I knew of him before, but I never actually knew him. "
"The one Sarah talked about who was bedding most of the school. The one who had that. . . what did you call them?"
"Barbarian Horde of Whores," supplied Mara.
"Ah yes. Him. That's odd though . . he said he only knew you. That you knew each other back from your hometown."
"I believe that would be quite impossible."
"Why would you say that."
"Um . . . you could say my hometown is not exactly in an easily accessible place."
"Oh really?" asked Eric, raising an eyebrow at her. "And why do you say that?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," she replied.
"Try me."
"Pfuit."
"I'm waiting."
Mara sighed, shaking her head. "Fine, have you ever heard of the Underground?"
"Is it like that mythical place where the two types of elves lived under the Earth? Weren't they called the Seleighe and the Unseleighe? Weren't the Unseleighe bad or something?"
Mara rolled her eyes. "Humans and their stories. Always like to give other races a bad name."
"What do you mean? Are you telling me that this place is real?" he asked, raising an eyebrow skeptically.
"As real as Earth. And the Seleighe and Unseleighe are real too . . . though despite common belief, we are both on the same side, well mostly. Every so often you'll have an elf with a taste for nasty bad stuff and then all hell breaks lose. My father tends to believe that I'm this generations latest genetic mutation."
"W-wait, what do you mean, 'we?' or 'you're father?'" asked Eric, stopping the both of them so he could look at her. "Are you trying to tell me you're an Elf?"
"I've got the pointy ears to prove it," she added cheerfully, as she pulled back her hair to reveal that her ear was indeed, pointy. "I'd do magic for you, but I kinda don't have much right now due to the Cold Iron slowly zapping it."
Eric sighed, staring intently at Mara. She was either a brilliant liar, or telling the truth, for he could detect no trace that she was lying. Deciding to give her the benefit of a doubt, (he had, after all secretly believed that the reason why there were stories of elves, dwarves, and other magical beings was because they were real – and things had seemed to get really strange ever since Mara showed up) he said, "I've heard of stranger things. So what type of Elf are you?" he asked as they began walking again.
"Dark Elf, or commonly known as the Unseleighe in the stories. It's probably because we are more associated with the night then the Light Elves. We are the Elves that deal with dreams and stand guard at night. We also tend to be more serious then the Light Elves. They are the ones you normally see singing and getting drunk. They actually make some excellent wine."
"Ah. You certainly don't seem serious. I thought you said Dark Elves were serious."
"I also don't have dark hair or brown eyes. In other words. . . I'm a mutant. I like to see myself as an Elvin mutant. My magic isn't even that strong when it comes to creating dreams. I have to use a memory that is already there. I'm better at the communication aspects of Crystal Magic and Stealth. My friend taught me when it became apparent that I was never going to be excellent at Dreams."
"So does Sarah know about any of this? That you are an Elf and all that?"
"Yeah. She's even been to the Underground once, back when she was 15. She went to a part of it called 'The Labyrinth' ruled by one of my best friends."
"You mean that crazy story she told be back in high school was true? That she wished her brother away and had to go through a labyrinth to get him back?"
"Yeah. She wasn't too happy to find out I was friends with him. I was kinda sort of trying to get the two together since he likes her . . . but it really didn't work out as planned."
"I should say," came a voice behind them. Swiftly, she was linked arms with another person. Looking up, she groaned.
"Oh, it's you. Isn't this beginning to count as obsessive, stalker-like behavior? Why can't you just stay at the college?"
"And you look so pleased to see me," Garith said cheerfully. Leaning over so he could see Eric he added, "I believe we've met before. I was going by Stephan at the time. I would have stayed with that, but I wasn't aware that Mara had decided to let the world know that she was an Elvin Princess."
"You're a princess?" asked Eric, smiling as he saw Mara start to squirm and shoot Garith a deadly glare.
"Yes, the daughter of the Lord of the Dark Elves, and betrothed to the King of the Goblins. . ."
"An arrangement which I am attempting to get out of," snapped Mara, trying to push Garith away. Unfortunately, his vampiric strength was still greater then her Elvin strength, causing her to fail miserably.
"You're betrothed?" asked Eric.
"Yup," replied Garith, answering for her, smiling as she turned her head to glare up at him. "The Underground Council felt that she was too troublesome to remain unwedded, so they wrote a contract to get her and the Goblin King to marry . . ."
"Who is not to thrilled about the arrangement either, since he likes Sarah."
"So that's why you're trying to prove a lifebond," said Garith, as if he just found the missing piece of a puzzle, a self-satisfied grin on his face.
"Duh, Garith . . . I would think that would be obvious! Why else would I try to get them together?" asked Mara, rolling her eyes. "It's not like you didn't know already."
"But I do have a question, Mara," said Garith.
"What is it?" asked Mara, a little warily.
"How come you decided to go on a date with Eric here, but you refuse to go on a date with me?"
"Because you're an asshole, you're working for the Underground Council, and you already have enough whores to get any special attentions you want. I happen to have a little more personal integrity than they do . . . and a little more sense too, if they can see that your playing all thirty-whatever amount it is that you have now."
"Speaking of which, what exactly does Stephan . . . or Garith here have to do with all of this?" asked Eric. Any doubts he had about whether or not Mara was telling the truth were quickly dissolving, simply because from what Sarah told him, these two would not work together simply to play a joke on him. Whatever crazy nonsense they were talking about had enough details and they had yet to trip up, and unless this was all part of some crazy RPG the two had been a part of, he couldn't help but feel that this was all real.
"He's a vampire. . . and a pain in my ass as well."
"See?" said Garith, opening his mouth, which seemed normal enough, until his two canine teeth extended, looking sharp and dangerous. "They're real too. The Underground Council sent me to Earth to make sure she doesn't cause any trouble with the contract. Basically I'm her babysitter of sorts."
"I'm over 200 years older than you!" argued Mara angrily. "I hardly think you can count as my babysitter when I'm older than you are."
"But you still as innocent as ever. Good thing I'm here to protect you from lecherous individuals." At that comment, he shot a look at Eric. "And to make sure that your virtue is not compromised."
"Garith, I'm more worried about my virtue around you than I am around Eric after seeing you around your whores. Speaking of which . . why don't you go back to hanging around that one you apparently had last night and leave me alone?"
"Nope. I must stay as chaperone since we still have your virtue to protect." Not to mention she is definitely not as interesting as y – the situation is, Garith continued to mentally.
Mara rolled her eyes and elbowed Garith sharply in the side. "Gods, you are so annoying!!!"
"Look who's talking. So tell me, how was Sarah's reaction when she woke up and remembered what you did?"
That comment definitely hit the mark. "What on Earth are you talking about, Garith?" demanded Mara, with a sinking feeling in her stomach.
"You know. In the bathroom. You tricking her to call Jareth? The whole 'I wish the Goblins would come to take me away?' thing. Then you shoving a tampon down his pants?"
"How the hell did you find that out Garith?"
"Wait, you shoved a tampon down some guy's pants?" asked Eric, a slightly surprised look on his face. But the look on Mara's face, the slightly wary look she was giving Garith, seemed to prove that whatever happened, he definitely knew something that no one else should know. And considering the door to the bathroom was locked . . .
"Yup. Her betrothed's pants, so technically it's ok. They've been friends for years. Practically brother and sister, so if you think about it, them getting married is a little like incest."
"You're not answering my question Garith. How the hell did you find that out. No one was in the bathroom but the three of us!" demanded Mara, trying to ignore the fact that he was basically repeating what she had said almost 5 years earlier when she gave Jareth the news of the forced engagement.
"That's for me to know and you to find out," he said, tweaking her nose.
"GARITH!!!" she cried angrily.
There was a tense pause, with Mara glaring murderously at Garith, and Garith smiling back at her, which was interrupted by a laugh from Eric.
"I swear," he cried, wiping tears of laughter from his face. "You two act almost like a married couple."
The effect was instantaneous. Mara violently tried to pull away from Garith, who in turn moved his arm around her waist tightly and said to Eric, "You really think so? It's too bad that she is betrothed, or I would be severely tempted to see if I could follow up on that idea."
Mara rolled her eyes and shot Eric a look that said 'you say yes and I will make sure you never have children.'
"Um . . . then again . . . maybe not," said Eric, giving Mara a wary look. "I think Mara would most likely kill you before you ever got far."
I'd kill him now if I could, thought Mara, glaring at Garith again, trying to ignore the strange tickling sensations she was feeling from where he was touching her.
"Oh, no she wouldn't," said Garith cheerfully. "She likes me too much. She just doesn't like to admit it."
"Garith, remember what I said about the pie back at the bookstore?" said Mara sweetly. "That idea is becoming awfully appealing right now."
"What, eating me? Like chocolate cream pie perhaps? Mara, sometimes I really wonder what goes on in that mind of yours, especially since you mind seems so often to be taken up by thoughts of me and sex." he asked, raising an eyebrow as he began to lick his lips seductively, looking her up and down. "Though I must admit, the Bog of Eternal Stench does not sound like one of the most appealing places in the world to go through that kind of foreplay before the actual making of the pie."
"EW! GARITH! I did not need to hear that!" yelled Mara, successfully breaking away from the two of them and covered her ears with her hands, as several graphic and unsettling images began to run through her head. "And you know what I said about the pie referred more on the lines of what happened in Titus Andronicus by Shakespeare."
"Aw, come on Mara, you know you like it," teased Garith, taking a glance at Eric, who was still laughing.
"No, I don't," snapped Mara quickly. A little too quickly.
"Yes you do."
"No I don't."
"Oh, come on, Mara, you know you want it."
"Ok, Garith, this is verbal sexual harassment."
"Has it ever stopped me before?"
"N-no, but that's not the point!" stammered Mara. "You would think that being royalty would at least give me the authority to get you leave me alone!"
"Well, if I wasn't under your father's orders . . ."
"You wouldn't listen anyway."
"Well considering you lost at least half of your magic pulling Sarah and yourself away from the Underground, I don't feel that I have grounds to worry about you doing anything truly dangerous."
"Ok, I want to know how you know that. Only I should know about that! After all, it's my magic we're talking about! I haven't even told Sarah!"
"Like I said, Elf. That's for me to know, and you to find out. Not to mention the fact that you told Eric you had less magic then you normally do. AND you just admitted to it!"
Mara found herself speechless for one of the first times in her life. Glaring at Garith, who was giving her one of his best 'I-know-how-to-push-your-buttons-and-mess-with-your-mind' looks, that although extremely childish, seemed to be working for she found herself searching through the reaches of her memory for a curse to lay upon him.
Unfortunately, what she came up with, wasn't particularly brilliant.
"I hate you, Vamp, I hope you realize that. You deserve to rot in hell for eternity. Maybe even a little bit longer than that." She glared at Eric, who had ruined the effect of her denouncement of Garith by continuing to laugh about the whole situation. "You are not helping matters, Eric. And Sarah talked so highly of you too!"
"Garith . . . since you have been assigned . . . by Mara's father . . . . to watch over her, perhaps it would be best if you came along," he said, pausing to gasp for breath from laughing too hard. Despite the fact that Eric wasn't so sure about Garith's bed habits, he still found him highly amusing. And since she was engaged, perhaps it would be proper protocol to bring along her chaperone for a date. He wasn't too sure about what the custom was for the Elves, but he figured that they would stand for respect. I sound like I actually believe this. That's even weirder, I do believe them, he realized. After a look from Mara he added, "That way, he'll be . . . satisfied that he was able to come along, and not tell your . . . father that you are going on a date with a guy who is not your fiancé that you don't want to marry."
"He can't talk to him anyway. We're trapped on this side of the border since Mister Babysitter here decided to tell my father what I'm up to."
"Yeah, which means that Mara can potentially die because she needs magic to survive," said Garith, wrapping his arm protectively around her waist. "We must make sure that she is able to survive with only half her magical reserves. We wouldn't want to lose her."
"GARITH!" yelled Mara for the third time that evening. "You're not supposed to talk about that."
"Hey, you told me."
"Temporary lapse in judgment on my part. One that I still regret."
Garith answered her with a raised eyebrow, and a smirk saying that he was sure that a temporary lapse of judgment was not the reason that she told him.
"Well, whether or not we are supposed to talk about it, Garith is right. We must make sure you can keep up your strength since you are trapped from your own world. I will buy you whatever food you want at the Olive Garden, no matter how expensive," said Eric, wrapping his arm around her as well.
"No, you really shouldn't do that. I can pay for myself. Really," insisted Mara.
"She's right, you shouldn't. I can pay for it," insisted Garith.
"No, it's no problem for me. I can pay for it."
"No really, allow me."
"Look, it's my date. I can pay."
"But I'm responsible for her. I'll pay."
Somebody just shoot me now. Please, thought Mara as the two continued to argue. Well, there goes any hope for a nice date at the Olive Garden.
~~~~
Jareth was punctual, showing up in the middle of her room in a burst of glitter, as Sarah was brushing her wet hair. "Here, allow me," he said, raising a hand and brushing it lightly down the length of her hair. Immediately, it dried as he took the brush from her hand and finished brushing the rest of it out.
"Uh . . .t-thank you," stammered Sarah, trying to ignore the sensations the light pressure of the brush was causing to her.
"I apologize for my crude behavior earlier. It was inexcusable, and you have every right to be angry at me."
Caught off guard, Sarah fumbled, "N-no, it's ok. It's just taking me a while to adjust to all this. I've never been much of a morning person in any case. I shouldn't have accused you of doing something that ungentlemanly."
"It's quite all right. Mara accuses me of being without scruples more often then not," he replied nonchalantly with a wave of his hand. "No, perhaps, Miss Sarah Williams, shall we have breakfast?
Sarah studied Jareth's face intently, searching for a hidden motive. Unbidden, the voice of Mara came through he mind,
"Just . . just give Jareth a chance, ok? Deep down, under that arrogant SOB facade, he is actually a really nice guy. He was always there when I needed a shoulder to cry on and a friend to get drunk with. I think you'd like him if you just gave him a chance."
Might as well give it a try. I'll be spending God knows how much of my life in this limbo. I might as well try to make the best of it.
"Why, I would love to, Your Majesty," she said, wrapping an arm around his in a courtly gesture. A look of surprise flashed across Jareth's face, soon followed by something warmer, before dissolving back into his cool mask.
"Well, then, Milady, on to breakfast," he said as the two of them stepped out of the room and down the hallway.
The hallway proved that her suspicions in her bedchamber were quite correct. The Castle Beyond the Goblin City did indeed hold some splendor that had not been seen when she initially walked through it briefly in her 15th year. Tapestries and portraits adorned the hallway. Many, more often then not, held the likeness of the overbearing Goblin King beside her, but there were others, that she assumed, must have borne a likeness of other important figures of the Underground, none of which she recognized.
The only one portrait of another person that she recognized, was that of Mara, and she didn't look particularly happy. She was dressed in what must have been her formal robes, for there was a tiara on her head and she was wearing one of the most elegant dresses Sarah had ever seen, and one the looked like it must have been on the whole uncomfortable. She wasn't able to study it for long, however, for her wonderful guide kept leading her steadily and firmly down the hallway, until they eventually reached a huge set of double doors, which opened of their own accord, as if by magic.
Actually, considering where I am, they probably are, thought Sarah rationally.
Jareth led her to one end of a large table that seemed to be at least 15 feet long, pulling out a throne-like chair with royal blue cushioning (that was so magnificent, it was making her feel very self-conscious), and helped her take her seat. He then took a seat to the right of her in another seemingly elegant chair with all the grace of a cat.
As soon as he was seated, the food appeared with yet another flash of glitter, that thankfully didn't get into the food. While mildly wondering if Jareth had some sort of fixation with glitter, Sarah, after a signal from Jareth, began to eat. While some of the food she recognized in part from home, like the eggs, there was also several other foods that she did not recognize, but brought such an exotic aroma to her senses that it was almost arousing . . .
In an attempt to distract her mind down on that particular thought, Sarah focused with almost a single-mindedness on eating her food, she jumped with surprise when Jareth said, "I trust this meets with your approval?"
After chewing the rest of a forkful of eggs she said, "Yes, it's delicious. Thank you." She wouldn't have noticed the look of relief that passed over his features if she hadn't been studying him out of the corner of her eye. "I don't recognize some of it though. It's unlike anything I've ever seen back . . . home before," she added, her voice catching a little at the mention of home. While she may be able to go back home when day was done here, she still couldn't help but feel a little resentful that he had gone along with a scheme to kidnap her, whatever his purposes were.
Jareth paused, noticing the hitch in her voice, as a brief tang of guilt went through his system, but immediately suppressed by the thought that Sarah did say the words, and willingly, too. (Of course, added a nasty part of his mind, that's only because she was tricked to.) "Some of the food is native only to the Underground, and cannot grow Aboveground. Partly due Cold Iron's way of forcing magic away or corrupting it. While it won't kill our kind, it does create difficulties in accessing outside magic, thus the source of the tales of Cold Iron. Of course, it doesn't have any effect on the dwarves. Their mind if full of metal, gold most of all."
Intrigued by this, Sarah asked, stumbling a little, "When you come to Aboveground . . . to take the babies away . . . does Cold Iron affect any of your magic?"
Jareth shook his head, ignoring the faltering in Sarah's speech. "Not particularly. If I came without being called, then yes, it would. But, I inherited the position of King of the Goblins and the Labyrinth from my father when he died. Part of the job includes going to the Aboveground when called to take a child, and the Labyrinth temporarily extends it's magic to the area that I transport to, so as to help me, and make me seem more dashing," he added with a smile and a raised eyebrow, causing Sarah to smile. "Sarah, you must understand that it is essential for the Labyrinth for this contact with humans. It feeds off the collective unconscious of the human mind, and when humans come here, it is able to establish that link back to the Aboveground While the Races have made this world their home, there are many of our kind that still remember, who yearn for the Aboveground, our original home. The Labyrinth help keeps that link with it."
Sarah raised an eyebrow of her own at him. "You're beginning to sound like that Carl Jung stuff I had to study all through high school."
Jareth laughed. "Well, considering the fact that he did visit for a while, I wouldn't be surprised. Many of the concepts of the collective unconscious and whatnot came from his studies of the Labyrinth. Though, I must admit, I was somewhat hurt to find out I was the so called 'monster' at the center of the archetypal Labyrinth. . ."
"The journey into the unknown. The unconscious metaphor for our experiences in life, full of self discovery. It represents a passage through the confusing and conflicting pathways of the mind in order to reach the center of one's true being. In the center the seeker can discover some essential truths about her own nature . . . and by facing the 'monster' in the center is the way to discover these truths . . ." Sarah trailed off, thinking.
After a moment of silence, Jareth nodded. "Basically. That was also another part of the Labyrinth. It was meant for a place of self discovery, to understand certain truths about ourselves and the world . . ."
"Like life isn't fair," asked Sarah with a grin, then after a pause she added seriously, "Or that I shouldn't make foolish wishes about my brother."
"It was also a rite of passage, you could say, your coming of age. You've been far more mature since you solved the Labyrinth. Much more, sometimes, than Mara. But then, I feel that she still has yet to face her labyrinth."
Sarah returned his smile. "Speaking of Mara, what did she think of Carl Jung?"
"She thought he was a complete crackpot. She played a few harmless jokes on him, (which included giving him the wrong directions, sending him to The Bog of Eternal Stench) thus becoming the foundation of 'The Trickster' archetype and a part of the 'Shadow.' She also, on one occasion, in a way, seduced him of to a secluded corner, hit him over the head so he was knocked out, then stuck him in an oubliette, so she could have 'some peace and quiet from his archetypal idiocy.' That led him to also use her as part of his theory on woman being the seductress, dangerous for the hero of the Heroic Quest. Of course, she didn't find out until after he left, and she didn't have a permit to go hunt him down and strangle him in the Aboveground, so she gave it a rest. One of the first times in her life too."
After another, almost comfortable pause, Sarah asked, "So, is that why you take the babies? Because humans ask you to?"
Jareth sighed then nodded. "Like I said, it's part of the job. Those who feel obligated to find the child will go through the Labyrinth. If they get distracted, then it just proves that they don't care enough for the child, and they are returned back to the Aboveground."
"And what happens to the children? Do you really turn them into Goblins? Mara said you didn't, but I thought the book . . . and you . . . said you did?"
This brought a full out roar of laughter from Jareth. "No, I do not turn them into goblins. Goblins by themselves are hard enough to deal with without added to the chaos. The children are often granted immortality, with the approval of the Underground Council, and then sent to different families to live. Immortals are only able to have children once every two years, which is when the menstrual cycle occurs for most immortal females." His voice choked off as he remembered the incident in the bathroom involving the tampon. When he finally got his hands on Mara, she was going to pay for that little trick.
"Only once every two years?!" asked Sarah, disbelievingly. "That's way better then once a month . . ." she trailed off, realizing just what she was talking about with the Goblin King, who was beginning to look a little pale, a traditional reaction she normally found when men were confronted with the concept of the menstrual cycle. She found herself giggling. When he raised an eyebrow, an affronted look on his face she said, "I'm sorry . . . it's just you look like you're going to be sick. Would you prefer that we changed the subject?"
"Yes," answered Jareth, a little too quickly, his face now taking on a slightly green hue.
"What is the castle like? I mean, I only saw a small portion of it when I was here last time . . ."
"Would you like me to take you on a tour of it when we are finished with breakfast?"
Sarah smiled, finding herself relaxed around him for the first time in her life. "I would like that very much," she replied before taking a sip of juice.
Perhaps this arrangement won't be so bad after all, she thought idly as the conversation turned to the nature of the Underground itself.
~ ~ ~
I hate my life, thought Mara, taking a bite out of her breadstick, glaring at the man sitting across from her, who, much to her chagrin, had completely 'bonded' with Eric in the fraternal way. Kinda depressing, it was almost like school, for Garith never seemed to be able to not bond with just about anyone. Only a few people disliked him at school, like Andrew and Thom, but even that wasn't overly 'I-hate-your-guts-and-I-want-you-to-go-to-hell,' more the, 'he's-annoying-because-he-gets-all-the-chicks' type of dislike.
Twirling a straw idly, staring into the depths of her Shirley Temple, she sighed. What's even worse is that I wish I could make friends as easily as Garith. Sure, he's a player and dangerous, and he doesn't always respect his friendships, but the fact that he is able to get people to like him anyway still his unfair. I've had more casual friends here in the Aboveground then I ever did in the Underground, and it's not fair that Garith has to show up and ruin it all! I haven't even gone on any dates besides friendly ones with Jareth since Nomar. I just wish I could find the happiness that he and my sister share.
"Why, we seem to have been neglecting Mara," said Garith suddenly, looking at the Elvin princess, who was still gazing moodily at her drink.
Head snapping up, Mara shook her head with forced amusement, hiding the fact that she was seriously considering about taking a silver stake and shove it through Garith's heart. "You do realize this is practically a threesome, and that you two seem perfectly all right with it?"
Eric shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I prefer to look at it more like a friendly night out among friends. Frankly, I doubt that there could ever be any real romantic attraction between the two of us in any case. I mean, with the whole thing about you being engaged and all. How about we all go to a movie afterwards?"
Garith's eyes snapped to Mara's face, noticing the hurt that barely showed through her joking exterior. Was Eric really that thick, that he didn't notice he was hurting Mara's feelings, or did he just not care?
Of course, Garith, came that little voice inside of him, you being here probably doesn't help matters.
Mara gave Eric a smile. "It sounds like a great idea, just as long as I'm not stuck next to Garith. How far is the movie theater?"
"About two blocks away. Tonight is dollar night at the cheap seats, so I was thinking we could go see something there."
"Sounds fun," agreed both Garith and Mara simultaneously. Mara glared at Garith momentarily, before returning back to the study of her Shirley Temple.
"So," said Eric. "What are you planning on doing, if you don't end up marrying this Goblin King?"
"I was thinking about applying for the job as an Ice Queen. I'm sure Jareth is getting tired of me living at his castle, and the Ice Castle is far enough away from everyone else I can finally have some peace and quiet." The last comment she directed at Garith, narrowing her eyes dangerously.
"Sounds rather singular," commented Eric. "Wouldn't you get lonely?"
"I would be fine. The flying chickens and ice demons have personalities similar enough to their Labyrinth counterparts that it shouldn't be that different. It's little chilly, but there is a division of magic made available to the Ice Queen to make sure that they are comfortable."
"But what about human contact?" asked Eric, "Or the others of your kind?"
Mara gave a laugh that Garith thought sounded a little forced. "I've never had really any desire to contact others. I only really talk to Jareth."
"What about your family?" asked Eric, still clueless as ever.
"We don't talk much," replied Mara quickly, her lips pursing together tightly, until her lips became barely visible. "If you excuse me? I must use the ladies' room." She got up from her seat and left.
Watching her walk off, Garith said, "Come to think of it, I could use the restroom myself. I'll be back in a moment."
Getting up, he walked over to where the bathrooms were, but instead of turning into the men's room, he took a covert look around to make sure no one was looking, checked for the presence of others in the other room, and turned right into the women's room. Thankful that at least this room did not have the same mind-scarring color the bathroom at Arcade Games Unlimited did, he put enough power into the door to insure that it would stay shut, before he began to inspect the room for signs of Mara.
The elf in question was standing around the corner, staring at a mirror, looking like she was trying to will herself to stay calm. She didn't even notice him until he had touched her on the shoulder.
"Mara, are you all right?"
She continued to stare at the mirror, glaring at his reflection murderously. "You do realize that this is the women's bathroom? You can find the men's room across from it. Unless, of course, there is some secret about you that I don't know about."
"Yes, Mara, I do realize that this is the women's bathroom. I locked the door to ensure that we wouldn't be interrupted."
"How kind of you," remarked Mara sarcastically. "Should I start crying 'rape!' now or later?"
"Look, Mara, I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt your feelings. He doesn't understand about your relationship with your family. With your father being the one behind the Council's decision, your sister marrying Nomar . . ."
"I would appreciate if we would not go into that particular topic."
"Mara, there is more to relationships than that one you had with Nomar," said Garith, almost gently.
"What would you know of it?!" demanded Mara, spinning around. "If you're talking about your little trysts with your whores, I doubt that is something I want."
"Mara, you never had a particularly healthy relationship with Nomar to begin with."
"How would you know?!" asked Mara, suspiciously.
"Gods, Mara, you dated him for 75 years, and not once did he kiss you until the two of you broke up because he lifebonded with your sister. In a normal healthy relationship, you have just a tad bit more physical contact. I don't see why you didn't break up with him earlier. Sure, you liked him, but you deserve bet. . ."
"How do you know that?" interrupted Mara coldly.
"Know what?" asked Garith with a sinking feeling, realizing what he just said.
"About Nomar and my relationship. I didn't tell anyone that he didn't kiss me. Not even Jareth."
"Well . . . I . . . uh . . ." stammered Garith, for the first time finding himself at for a loss of words.
"And how did you know what went on in that bathroom? Not even Sarah knew that I shoved that tampon down Jareth's pants!" said Mara, stepping closer to Garith, anger and suspicion increasing. She paused, before understanding dawned in her eyes as she remembered one of the many skills of vampires.
"You've been reading my mind, haven't you vamp?" she said quietly, her face turning pale.
"I-I didn't mean to . . . well . . . the second time I didn't," stuttered Garith, unable to call up the bravado he often displayed.
SLAP!
Mara's hand slapped his face, leaving a bright red imprint of her hand on his cheek.
"THE SECOND TIME?!?" cried Mara angrily. "Just how often do you read dive into my mind?"
"Only three times," replied weakly. "The last time was to figure out why you were knocked out unconscious on the floor of the bathroom."
"Oh, I'm sure you were amused as hell to find out that I never got farther with anyone then I did with Nomar," said Mara bitterly, staring at the floor.
"I . . . wait . . . you never did anything with anyone after Nomar?" asked Garith, staring intently down at the elf, her hands clenched and shaking, as she did her best to not break down and cry. "I never saw that . . ."
Mara sighed angrily. "Well you know that now," she spat, glaring back at him, a single tear making its way down her cheek.
"Mara, look . . I'm . . sor . ." said Garith.
Mara held out a hand to stop him. "I don't want to hear about it. I've never been good with relationships anyhow."
"Ma . ."
"Look, Vamp," she hissed. "Let's just make one thing clear. After tonight, I want you to leave town, and I don't want to see you again until winter break is over with. I don't care where the hell you go . . . in fact, I would prefer if you went to hell. Stay there, in fact. Just leave me alone!"
Garith stepped back. "I understand." Getting out his wallet he handed her some money. "Here is the amount to pay for what I ordered. I'll leave you to the rest of your date by yourself . . ."
He spun around, and could barely hear her whisper to herself as he left, "It's not even a date. Just a 'friendly' outing with friends. No one could see me that way anyhow."
Garith shook his head, unlocked the door, and left the restaurant without a coat, not noticing the chill as he made his way through the swirling dance of snow around him.
Author's Note: Um . . wow. I didn't expect to be ending the chapter with that. It originally ended with Sarah going to breakfast with Jareth, (finished within 48 hours of last post) but, due to the fact that I couldn't get a hold of my beta, and I didn't want to post the chapter not betad . . . since often my grammar leaves something to be desired, especially when I'm tired, and the fact that even if I could get a hold of her, my printer wais jammed so I wouldn't be able to print it off for her . . . so I ended up adding more to it for the hell of it, then promptly fell asleep for about 6 hours. (Though . . on the file on my computer that has this whole story together thus far, it is totaling up to around 90 pages, longest I've ever written.)
So, I thank you Megs, for reading this longer chapter, and listening patiently as I bounced ideas off on you in the morning, while your mind wished to be more focused on more pleasant thoughts . . . (*Wink Wink*)
As always, please R&R! Truly, I admit to you, I love reviews. They boost up my confidence and give me ideas on how to progress the story. (After all, then ending has been sketched out . . . it is just a matter of getting from Point A to Point D. I still need to fill out the plotline)
REGARDING M&M PANCAKES:
And last chapter I mentioned M&M pancakes, which what my father made for me. I went to him for instructions on how to make it, and he said to mix the mix together with the M&Ms, then cook it as normal. My dad did say that the peanut one probably wouldn't work. He normally makes several batches at once, then freezes it in a bag of about 3-4 (they aren't overly large pancakes, they fit in a sandwich bag) where they are good for about a week before the begin to taste freezer burned. This is good for me in the mornings when I'm in a hurry to get out, since you only need to put them in the microwave for about 45-60 seconds on high, flip them over, then cook for another 45-60 seconds. They are very good.
THANK YOU!!!
Zero-no-uta: THANK YOU SO MUCH! I'm glad that it is comprehensible. . . believe me, half the time I'm writing this at like 11 at night, and my poor beta is looking at my writing asking me where the heck did I learn grammar. I really want the movie too . . . there is a special edition out. Normally if I need information I go to some of the Labyrinth sites where they have the script. And vampires . . . well, let's just say they are one of my favorite too.
Nubian Queen: You know what? I don't know. Star Wars is the best (though I tend to dislike the stereotype of it being a guy movie . . . there a lot of girl fans out there too!) As for the romantic G/M . . ho hum. Don't worry about the pun, my orchestra teacher has far worse.
Lady Havok: THANK YOU SO MUCH! yes . . i know i'm evil. But I'm glad you think it is well written. I try.
dreamoon: YAY! The worm will probably show up soon, along with other characters . . . probably next chapter. Oh, and about Star Wars online RPG .. . I've never played because I really don't know how . . . but there is what appears to be a good one at starwarschicks.com. Rawthorn is Mara's uncle, or her father's brother. He's a mage. Yes, he will be showing up later. (At least, right now as I'm planning it he is.)
Cloud Cuckoo: I don't think peanuts would work, they would probably burned. Thanks for saying that about my story. *blushes* heehee. I'm having a lot of fun writing this. It's kinda taken up most of my life. I really don't have much of one . . . except for reading all the time.
LabyLvrPhx: AND HE SHOWED UP! And even though he was kinda OOC, I thought it showed another side to him that is normally not seen: humanity. (well, kinda)
MysticalStar1:heheeehee . . yeah I hate it when I can't come up with anything . . this chapter came right out (it was just a matter of getting it beta read) . . . but there were a few that took a lot of work on.
janine: Well . . it kinda started out as a love triangle . . . but I kinda felt that even though Eric was amused by Mara being an elf, he would probably feel a little intimidated, since she is a princess and immortal . . . thus pushing her back to "friend" status. And since he really didn't know anything about her past . . . It's fun writing though.
Selena Blacke: I hoped you liked this chapter. It's a bit longer then some of my others.
goblingurl: YAY! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I FEEL SO LOVED!
Neva: This would have been out sooner, but I couldn't get it to my beta, and then it took her a while to get through it since she, unlike me, has a life. For me, this is obsessive practice in hopes that I could someday become an author and write down stories I have tons of notes written down for.
SummerBreeze3: I hoped you like the jareth/sarah . . I was going to have it be all argument . . but then I felt that it wasn't fair for Jareth . . so while things went well w/ them, I kinda decided to dump the crap on Mara.
Wow . . . a lot of people reviewed. . my hands are getting tired!
b00kperson: M&M pancakes do work, and they are yummy to! And lets just say . . . remember the whole face that Mara needs magic in her blood to survive and keep the spell up . . . and Garith tends to go into bloodlust when he tastes/smells/whatever her blood. HO HUM!
Desert Willow: thanks, I hope you like this one too.
Jazzy P: Well, you probably knew the whole plot with me telling it to you all the time, but I hope you like it all written down . . . without blue pen scribbles all over it . . . or me over your shoulder going "What do you think?" or "GUESS WHAT!?!? THE CHAPTER IS DONE? WANNA READ" LOL
LadyAniviel: OREOS!!!!!!!!! *dances a happy "I've got Oreos dance"* Does the tampon jokes count as pants sarcasm? . . oo . . and funny note . . my brother started singing this to make fun of Jareth's pants "I'm too sexy for my pants . . too sexy for my pants . . too sexy . ." yeah . . maybe I'll use it later . . . hmmmm
One-Sexy-Slytherin: I'm glad that the information makes sense. It's ok about the signing off AIM. I haven't gone on often much lately due to my dad being less then happy with me. No AIM .. . but at least my fanfiction privileges weren't revoked (well . . except he did disconnect my computer for a while . . saying i couldn't write on it *sob* I went back on though)
kalinda: I hoped you liked Jareth and Sarah's 2nd meeting. I had fun writing it
if-666: *sigh* last reviewer . . but certainly not the least. Yes, this is a j/s fanfic . . the computer was just acting up when i was trying to put romance down .. so i just kinda gave up. Garith . . ho hum. I don't know what I'll do with the rating yet. My beta reader said that if the swears keep up . . i'll probably have to up the rating.
WELL, THANK YOU ALL WHO HAVE REVIEWED, AND TO ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN READING THIS! THANK YOU ALL! A LOT!!! A LOT A LOT!!!
ok . . done now
^_^